Myxa Sporalis's Arc

Chapter 3 of 4

Myxa walked through Nereidum's trading district, her notebook tucked under her arm. The city sprawled in every direction, built from coral stone and weathered metal. She needed to understand what made this place work. She passed vendor stalls where merchants called out prices and customers haggled over mushrooms and dried herbs. The successful traders had covered stalls with shade and clear signs showing their goods. They kept samples visible at the front. After an hour of watching, she ducked into a building where steam rose from copper pipes that wound up ancient stone walls. Colored gases puffed from vents near the ceiling. Inside, alchemists sat at small tables with warm drinks, trading ingredient tips and discussing suppliers. Myxa listened as two merchants talked about securing rare spores from the western islands. This was where real connections happened—not just in the markets, but in quiet spaces where traders shared secrets over tea. Later that afternoon, Myxa found herself in the town square. A massive crystalline gem sat on a carved wooden pedestal, surrounded by polished metal plates. She stepped closer and read the engraved words. The gem honored a merchant who had built the largest trading network in Nereidum's history. Each plate listed a different achievement—opening new routes, creating fair pricing systems, training young traders. Myxa traced her fingers over the words. Someone had done what she dreamed of doing. They had built something that lasted. Her chest tightened with hope. If one person could achieve this, maybe she could too. She headed back toward the docks as evening settled in. Near the study hall, she spotted a metal arch decorated with glass spheres. Each sphere held swirling colored liquids that caught the fading light. The display drew her eye from several streets away. She realized it was announcing rare potions for sale—advertising to anyone passing by. Travelers would see it from their ships. Students would notice it on their way to class. Myxa pulled out her notebook and sketched the arch quickly. Her cauldron ship needed something like this. A way to broadcast what she offered before customers even came aboard. Back at her ship, Myxa climbed aboard and sat near the helm. She opened her notebook and reviewed everything she'd learned today. The successful traders gathered in quiet places to build trust. They honored those who achieved great things. They made their goods visible from far away. She had watched how the city's marketplace worked, and now she understood what her floating version needed. Community spaces where merchants could talk. Recognition for those who contributed. Clear signals to draw customers in. The cauldron ship could become all of that. She closed the notebook and looked out at the harbor lights. Her dream had shape now. It had real examples to follow. Tomorrow she would start building the first vendor stall.